Illuminated sign.



R. S. GIESE.

ILLUMINATED SIGN. V

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 1915.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

W1 TNESSES:

Attorney RICHARD S. GIESE, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

irnnunrina'rnn SIGN.

Lftitml d.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. ltd, f ilfi.

Application filed May 15, 1915. Serial No. 28,414.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, RICHARD S. Green, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Illuminated Sign, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention has reference to illuminated signs and is designed moreparticularly for use in connection with dwellings or other buildingswhere it is desired to display a number or other indication at the doorof the building, although the invention is applicable to other uses andtherefore is not confined to such particular use.

The invention comprises a globe adapted to receive an illuminatingmeans, such, for instance, as an incandescent electric lamp, and theglobe is made of any desired configuration, usually, however, ofornamental outline. Along one side of the globe there is provided aframe suitably attached to the globe and adapted to the frame aremovable or adjustable plates, some of which may be blank, and others ofwhich may contain suitable indicia, particularly digits.

The globe may be employed for diffusive illumination at the doorway andadjacent area, while the blank plates and those containing the indiciamay be of an opaque nature with the numbers themselves out out so thatthe diffused light of the globe is seen through the numbers. By thismeans the digits making up the number where the sign is employed forsuch purpose, are seen as white or light numbers upon a dark background,and the globe itself may also appear illuminated in surrounding relationto the number area.

The structure is such that the numbers may be changed as desired withina frame large enough to display the highest number needed, so that asingle type of sign will answer for a large number of purposes.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. with thefurther under-.

standing that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention,the latter is not confined to any strict conformity with,

the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long assuch changes and modifications mark no material departure from thesalient features of the invention.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is an eleva tion of a sign embodying thepresent invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. Fig. 3 isa section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of thenumber holding frame. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of one of the numberplates.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a globe l which is illustratedas a somewhat elongated globe of hexagonalcross-section, although anyparticular shape and configuration is not obligatory. A polygonal globeis of advantage in presenting plane faces facilitating the adaptation ofthe sign thereto and engaging fiat against one of the plane faces andalso presenting a more or less ornamental appearance. One end of theglobe is provided with an opening 2 surrounded by a rim or flange 3which may be of standard size and shape, so that the globe may besupported by the usual three and one-fourth inch fitter, which isstandard for electric work of this description, the socket for the bulbbeing carried by the fitter. However, as these electric fittings are ofcustomary character they are neither shown nor described in detail.

The globe 1 is usually made of white or milk glass, but may be made ofany suitable glass and may be mounted on the side wall of the porch orfrom the ceiling.

The body or globe 1 is provided in the center line of one of the panelsnear the top and bottom thereof with holes 4, 5, respectively, toreceive tongues 6 on opposite end bars 7 8, respectively,- of anelongated frame 9, which in the particular showing of the drawing is anelongated rectangular frame conforming in general to the shape of one ofthe panels of the globe and of a length to include the holes et and 5within the area defined by the margins of the frame. The frame 9 haselongated side bars 10, and these side bars, as well as the end bar 8,are of channel construction, while the end bar 7 is of double wallconstruction open at both edges, whereby access to the interior of the Iand and those and thetongues 6 therefore constitute coactthe end 7 andwill rest of the particular digit.

mg securing means for the frame within the .area defined by the marginsof said frame. There tively, which may conveniently be made of sheetmetal. The plates 12 are each provided with a digit 13 produced bypunching out the metal of the respective plates to leave clear spacesconforming to the shape plate 11, 12 is outturned to form a flange 14projecting from the plate at substantially rlght angles thereto,so'that. the depth of the flange combined with'the thickness of theplate isaboutequal to the depth of the channels in the side bars 10 andend bars 8 of the frame and also the passage through the end bar 7 ofthe frame, whereby the plates may be inserted in the frame through oneon the other, the

. flanges 14 constituting convenient finger holds for the. manipulationof the plates, and also aiding in preventing the escape of anynoticeable amount oflight between the plates Where they come together.

The plates 11 and 12 and the frame 9 are so proportioned that the framewill hold a certain number of plates, six in the particular instanceshown, with the frame or holding member then' completely filled withinits inner margins.

The plates 11 and 12 being preferably of metal, are opaque to light andmay be finished in any desired manner, as by painting, bronzing,plating,'enameling, or in any other suitable manner.

. up .of'the By daylight the globe is seen through the number openingswith these numbers surrounded by a contrasting background made visibleportions of the plates 11 and 12, the plates 11 being blank plates andthe plates 12 containing some cut-out indicia, such as a number. Bynight the electric lamp will light up the interior of the globe, thuscausing the latter to glow, and the light shines through the numberopenings with a suflicient border of opaque material to prevent the glowfrom the body of the globe from interfering with the dis tinctness ofthe number openings because of coalescence of glare from the globe andnumber openings, the numbers appearing light upon a dark background.

The number sign is therefore distinctly about the holes 4 and 5 are'alsoprovided a suitable number of rectangular plates 11, 12, respec- I Oneedge of each particular showing visible both by daylight and at night,it being assumed, of course, that in the latter case the electric lampis energized.

he frame 9 is customarily a fiat metallic frame of a size to fit flatagainst a panel of the globe within the margins of said panel, and isreadily attached to or removed from the globe 1, which latter is closedexcept at the opening 2 and at the passages 1 and 5, which passages,however, are in turn closed by the frame 9 and the plates ll, 12 whenthe latter are in place.

While it is globe and numbers in other directions than that shown, it ispreferred to have the numbers arranged in an upright or substantiallyupright column, which arrangement is particularly adapted to elongatedglobes of the general type shown in the drawings.

quite feasible to arrange the be present invention has the advantage 1in producing the sign indicia in white or light colors upon a darkbackground, and alsoproviding illumination over a considerable area atnight without interference with the display of the numbers and withoutthe latter interfering to any material extent with the illuminatingqualities of the globe exterior to the holding member, for the globe maytherefore be entirely free from obstruction to the passage of lighttherethrough except where covered by the holding member and the memberplates. The invention is designed particularly for house numbers and,combi'nes with the display of house numbers the illuminating qualitiesof a porch light for night use and the prominent display of the housenumber by daylight.

Since the numbers are interchangeable, a

dealer may carry a, stock of globes and numbers and apply them to anydesired house without the necessity of having a specially numbered globefor each house. Since the house numbers vary the blank plates'll areprovided to fill up the frame where the space provided for the frame ismore than that needed for the number. If the house number contained butone digit then in the particular arrangement of the drawings five blankplates would be needed. If the number runs to a. thousand or more, as inthe of Fig. 1, then four are employed and two and so on. the globe ismade of white or number plates 12 blank plates, Ordinarily -milky glass,and the number and blank plates are of blackened metal, wher by thecontrast produced by the white glass bordered by the blackenedbackground brings the numbers into decided prominence whether seen bydaylight or by means of the rays of an electric lamp housed in theglobe.

The invention is particularly adapted for the display of house numbersin conjunction with porch lights,

and while for convenience me ias the claims are directed to a porchlight, it will be understood that by so doing the utility of theinvention is by no means confined to porch lights alone, but may be usedwherever it is adaptable.

What is claimed is Y 1. An illuminated sign for porches and otherplaces, comprising a globe of lighttransmitting material with a frame ofopaque material wholly exterior to and secured against the'outer face ofthe globe over an area constituting but a fractional portion of the areaof the globe, and a filling of opaque material adapted to the frame tobe carried by and occupy the'interior of the frame, with certainportions of the filling out out to expose the globe thereunder to viewand of a conformation to constitute indicia, whereby the globe exceptwhere covered by the frame serves for illuminating the porch or otherplace and the frame and filling therefor with cut-outs provide a readyvisible house-number indication, with the cut-out indicia separated fromthe light transmitting portion of the globe about the frame by adistance sufiicient to prevent coalescence of glare from the cut-outportions of the filling material and those portions of the globesurrounding the frame.

2. An illuminated sign for porches and other places, comprising a globeof light transmitting material and of polygonal cross-section, and aframe of opaque material wholly exterior to the globe and secured fiatagainst one of the outer plane faces of the globe, said frame having afilling of opaque material with cut-out portions constituting indiciaand exposing the surface of the globe through said cut-out portions.

3. A porch light comprising a globe provided with spaced passagesthrough one side, a frame adapted to the portion of the globe having thepassages therethrough and provided with tongues adapted to extendthrough the passages and be bent against the inner wall of the globe tohold the frame in place, said frame being of channel material toconstitute a receptaclewith one end open for access to the interior ofthe frame, and a filling of opaque material for the frame havingcut-outs representing indicia and exposing therethrough correspondingportions of the globe where included within the margins of the frame.

4. A porch light comprising aglobe provided with spaced passages throughone side,

a frame adapted'to the portion of the globe having the passagestherethrough and provided with tongues adapted to extend through thepassages and be bent against the inner wall of the globe to hold theframe in place, said frame being of channel material to constitute areceptacle with one end open for access to the interior of the frame,and a plurality of interchangeable plates adapted-to the frame and innumber sufficient to fill the frame, an appropriate num ber of theplates having punched out indicia to expose therethrough correspondingportions of the globe where included within the margins of the frame,each plate having one edge plain and the other edge where engaging thenext plate in order formed with an outstanding flange projecting atsubstantially right angles to the plate.

5. A porch light comprising an elongated globe of light transmittingmaterial having its longer axis upright in the installed position, anupright frame of opaque channel material exterior to the globe and of asize to occupy a fractional portion of the surface of the globe, saidframe being in contact throughout substantially its whole area with theouter surface of the globe and having its upper end provided with aconstantly open passage for access to the interior of the frame, and-asign of opaque material adapted to the interior of the frame and whollyexterior to and separated from the interior of the globe by thecorresponding portion of the wall of the latter, said opaque materialhaving cut-out portions representing indicia and there exposing thatportion of the wall of the globe back of the cut-out portions. I

6. An elongated number-displaying globe of light transmitting materialand of polygonal cross-section defining elongated panels, a framecorresponding in shape to a panel and said frame and globe havingcoacting means within the area defined by the margins of the frame forsecuring said frame to the globe and said frame having guide channelstherein, and plates of opaque material adapted to the channels in theframe and in number sufiicient to fill the interior of the frame withthe frames in abutment, a number of the plates corresponding to thenumber of digits to be displayed having the material of the plates cutout in con formity with the digits to expose like portions of the panelto which the frame is applied to view.

7. A number-displaying globe of elongated polygonal shape with a panelprovided near the ends with passages therethrough, a frame of channelmaterial having tongues thereon adapted to extend through the passagesand be bent against the inner wall of the panel, said frame having thechannels accessible through one end, and plates of opaque materialadapted to be inserted into the frame through the accessible ends of andto move along the channels. the plates being of a size and in numbersufficient to fill the interior of the frame with the plates in abutmentand said plates each having the edge abutting the next adjacent plateprovided with an outturned flange.

8. A number-displaying globe of elongated polygonal shape With a panelprovided near the ends with passages therethrough, a frame of channelmaterial having tongues thereon adapted to extend through the passagesand be bent against the inner wall of the panel, said frame having thechannels accessible through that end of the frame constituting the upperend thereof in'the installed position of the globe and plates of opaquematerial adapted to be inserted into the frame through the accessibleends of and to move along the channels, the plates being of a size andin number 1 sufiicient to fill the interior of'the frame with the platesin abutment, and said plates each having the edge abutting the nextadjacent plate provided with an out-turned substantial right angleflange, the thickness of the plate and the depth of the flange combinedcorresponding substantially to the Width of the channel portions of theframe. 1 I

9.A number-displaying porch ball comprising an elongated globe of lightdiffusive material with its longitudinal axis upright in the installedposition, an upright elongated frame of opaque material thereon, and aplurality of interchangeable opaque plates in number suflicient to fillthe frame, certain of the plates having light transmitting porlionsexposing the ball to View over areas Within the margins of the framecorresponding in shape to the numbers to be displayed and the frame, andglobe having coacting means within the area defined by the marginallimits of the frame to secure said frame to the globe.

10. An elongated number displaying globe of light diffusive glass withits longitudinal axis upright in the installed position, an

elongated holding device arranged lengthwise of the globe, said holdingdevice and globe being coactively. formed with means for securing theholding device to the globe, saidsecuring-means being Within the areadefined by the margins of the holding device, and a sign adapted to theholding device and provided with light transmitting indicia whichexposes the globe Within the area covered by the holding device andmeans carried thereby, said sign and holding device being of a characterand of an area exterior to the indicia to prevent coalescence of glarefrom said indiciaand the portions of the globe exterior to the holdingdevice.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoafiixed my signature inthe presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD S. GIESE. Witnesses:

L. K. VOELKER, M. L. PANROCK.

